Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius (Blume) Ching, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 4(2): 125 (1982)

Field, Ashley Raymond, 2018, Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis (Huperzioideae, Lycopodiaceae) a new species from Vanuatu, re-circumscription of P. nummulariifolius and new combinations in Phlegmariurus, PhytoKeys 109, pp. 53-66 : 55-58

Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius (Blume) Ching, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 4(2): 125 (1982)

≡ Lycopodium nummulariifolium Blume, Enum. Pl. Javae 2: 263 (1828). Urostachys nummulariifolius (Blume) Herter, Philipp. Sci. 22: 182 (1923). Huperzia nummulariifolia (Blume) Chambers, Jermy & Crabbe, Brit. Fern Gaz. 10: 176 (1971). Type citation. 'Crescit Javae montosis ex arboribus pendulum’. Type. Sallak [Java], C.L.Blume s.n. (lectotype, designated here: L0057363* [L 908.342-266]; isolectotypes/syntypes: L 908.326-17 n.v., NY00127360*). Type note. Øllgaard (1989 p. 59) lists two syntypes in L, and a third duplicate of a Blume gathering is known in NY. The most complete specimen in L is selected as the lectotype, the other having not been relocated. Etymology. Named in reference to the round coin like leaves.

= Lycopodium rotundifolium Roxb., Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 4: 473 (1844). Type citation. ' Wallich cat. 65, no. 2183' and ' Nat. of Sumatra, and a most beautiful species it is.'. Type. [s.l., n.d., s.c. s.n. (plant labelled in Roxburgh’s hand] (? holotype [see Morton 1973 p. 328-329]: E00429111* [E-Greville]). Etymology. Named in reference to the round leaves.

Description.

Sporophytes herbaceous, epiphytic, with tufted isodichotomous pendulous shoots and with dichotomous roots emerging from the base of the tuft. Shoots abruptly heterophyllous; sterile sections leafy, 5-12 mm in diameter and usually 20-250 cm long, branched 1-6 times being relatively unbranched basally and more frequently ramified distally; fertile sections filiform, 1-2.2 mm in diameter and up to 400 mm long, multibranched 1-6 times. Stems slender and woody, 1.5-3.5 mm in diameter in basal module without the leaves, light green to dark purplish-brown, and bearing indistinct longitudinal grooves between the rows of leaves. Leaves sessile, supine, decurrent, firm, orthostichous in four strict rows comprised of 2 alternating sub whorls of 2, adpressed and imbricate, ovate-oval, 6-14 mm long × 4-7.5 mm wide, with a rounded base and similar rounded apex, leaves flat with entire margins, dark glossy green to light yellow green. Basal leaves sometimes more scale like and leaves in basal modules sometimes lanceolate-ovate and more widely spaced out on elongated naked stems, leaves in median and distal regions ovate-oval. Sporophylls markedly differentiated from sterile leaves, sessile, supine, orthostichous in two alternating pairs of two, scale like, adpressed throughout, ovate-rhomboid with a cuneate base and acute apex, 2.1-3.5 mm long × 1.4-2.2 mm wide, overlapping or occasionally spaced apart with stem visible between subwhorls of sporophylls. Sporangia borne on the upper surface in the axils of sporangia, reniform, 0.8-1 mm in diameter, mostly covered by the sporophyll. Spores isotetrahedral, 30-40 μm in diameter, with convex lateral margins, smooth proximal surfaces and moderately foveolate distal surface. Gametophytes holomycoheterotrophic, dorsiventral with paraphyses among the gametangia on the upper surface. Flat tassel-fern [Australia], Kied Hoy [Thailand], Pum-borey [Bougainville Island], Yúlín [Singapore]. Figure 2 A–C .

Specimens examined.

ASIA. VIETNAM. Tonkin: Saigon, [n.d.], Faurie 182 (BONN-Nessel 646b). INDONESIA. Java: [s.l.], 1869, [s.c.] 13 (P1238007). Enviriv du Jardin Botanique du Buitenzorg, Jan-Feb 1877, H.de Poli [s.n.] (P1596127). Java, 1854, M. Göring 210 (P1238008; P1238006). Java, [n.d.], Kollmann [s.n.] (P1238019). Gedeh Gebirge, 1910, Königsberger [s.n.] (BONN-Nessel 642b). [s.l.], [n.d.], Schneider [s.n.] (P1220849). Java, [n.d.], C.Treub [s.n.] (P1238013). [s.l.], [n.d.], Zollinger [s.n.] (BONN-Nessel 642a). Java, [n.d.], Zollinger [s.n.] (P1238004). [s.l.], [n.d.], Zollinger [s.n.] (P1238014). Java, [n.d.], Zollinger 175-Z (P01238005; P01238012; P01238025). Kalimantan: W. KokLai [illeg.], 800 m, 12 Sep 1925, F.H. Enderl 3804 (BONN-Nessel 646a). Gunung Samarinda, Ost-Borneo, Aug 1910, E.Rŭdel [s.n.] (BONN-Nessel 643). Sumatra: Island of Siberut, 8 Sep 1924, C. Boden-Kloss 10581 (US1346685). Siberut, 8 Sep 1924, C. Boden-Kloss 10581 (US1346686). Enggano, Boea-boea, 100 m, 29 May 1936, W.J. Lutjeharms 3874 (US2139904). East Coast, Vicinity of Aek Moente, 500 m, 15 Jun-9 Jul 1936, Rahmat Si Boeea 9168 (US2717673). Province indet: Archipel. Ind.?, [n.d.], [s.c.] 14 (P1220851). Archipel. Ind., [n.d.], [s.c.] 219 (P1220850). Ostindien, [n.d.], Schneider [s.n.] (P1220852). Boesoe Nal’ Besie, May 1921, Toxopeus 181 (P1220854). MALAYSIA. Johore: Gunung Janing Plateau, 430 m, 23 Oct 1985, K.M. Wong FRI 30916 (QRS113912). Kedah: B. Blukang Parang, G. Bintang, 16 Apr 1928, Haniff Singapore Field # 21065 (UC346255; US1704974). Kelantan: Gua Panjang, Gua Nimik, 305 m, 21 Oct 1927, M.R. Henderson 19534 (US1274282). Suga Keteh, 16 Feb 1924, Nur 12108 (UC234463). Negri Sembilan: Ulu Langat, Stream side vegetation along Sungei Kenaboi, about 2 miles downstream of Sungei Damar junction. Kenaboi Forest Reserve, 610 m, 20 May 1976, D.W. Lee UL-61 * (P1266534; US2920343). Pahang: S.Sat., Pahang, 29 Aug 1929, M.R. Henderson 22091 (UC462868). Malay Peninsula, S. Sat, 19 Jul 1929, M.R. Henderson Singapore Field # 20091 (US1526658). Malay Peninsula. Kuala Teku, 152 m, 21 Jul 1936, Kiah Singapore Field # 31750 (US1703674). Malaya, Near Tunnel Rd., Penang Hill, 610 m, 4 Mar 1956, B.E.G. Molesworth-Allen 2765 (US2255844). Penang, [n.d.], H. Norris [s.n.] (P1220855). Perak: Perak, [n.d.], Scortechini [s.n.] (BONN-Nessel 644). Sabah: Mt Kalawat, Oct-Dec 1915, M.S. Clemens 11144 (UC211777). cultivated ex Sabah, Malaysia, 25 Apr 2018, A.R. Field 4670 (CNS). G. Lumaku, 300 m, 7 Mar 1969, H.P. Nooteboom 1212 (US2951438). Sarawak: [s.l.], Jul 1865, O. Beccari [s.n.] (US1918110). Gilam Bakun, 23 Aug 1954, W.M. Brooke 9077 (US2292818). Bakelalan, 914 m, 23 Aug 1955, Collector illegible 10486 (US2290680). Foot of Mt Santubong, 16 Mar 1914, collectuer indigene 97 (P1238015; P1238016). cultivated ex Sarawak, Malaysia, 25 Sep 2016, A.R. Field 2785 (CNS). Borneo, 17 Jun 1894, E. Langlassé 57 (P1238009; P1238010; P1238017). Borneo, [n.d.], Native collector 58 (US1173888). Sarawak, [n.d.], Native collector 774 (P1238018; US1174046). Sarawak, [n.d.], Native collector 1547 (UC218747; US1174144). Sarawak, Feb-Jun 1914, Native collector 2143 (UC218752). Terengannu: Malay Penins.: Bukit Besar, 914 m, May 1899, D.T. Gwynne-Vaughan 425 (US1506242). Ind. Or., [n.d.], [s.c.] [s.n.] (P1220856). OCEANIA. INDONESIA. West Papua: 6 km SW of Bernhard Camp Idenburg River, 1200 m, Feb 1939, L.J. Brass 12837 (BRI327894). Mt Nettoti, Tamrau Range, 1460 m, 28 Oct 1954, P. van Royen 3899 (P1238493; UC40507). Bernhard Camp Idenburg River, 50 m, Apr 1939, L.J. Brass 14079 (BRI327897). PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Central Province: cultivated ex Brown River, Papua New Guinea, 3 Feb 2001, A.R. Field 2 (CNS). Madang Province: Bundi Mission, 1300 m, 19 Jul 1992, P.I. Forster PIF10979 (BRI549514). Manus Province: Admiralty Islands, Tingau #1, Number One Road, Manus Island, 10-12 Jul 1946, D.F. Grether 4522 (UC729030; US1918392). Morobe Province: New Guinea, Umi River, Markham Valley, 480 m, 17 Nov 1959, L.J. Brass 32571 (US2358020). Nordöstliches New-Guinea, Morobe-Distrikt, Sattleberg, 3300 ft, 1 Feb 1936, [M.S.] Clemens 1840 (P1242270). Charles Luis Gebirge, 1911, Harking [s.n.] (BONN-Nessel 655b). Waria River below Garaina, 3300 ft, 20 Jun 1962, T.G. Hartley TGH10376 (BRI149761). Sattleberg, 600 m, Jan 1899, E. Nyman [s.n.] (BONN-Nessel 655a). Kaiser-Wilhelmsland, 2 Aug 1907, R. Schlechter 16352 (P1238020; P1238022; US2990287). New Guinea. Tiaure Village, 5 miles S. of Garaina, Lae sub-district, 488 m, 22 Jul 1970, H. Streimann NGF 45048 (US2613636). Nawata Banda, 720 m, 30 Jun 1966, H. Streimann NGF27818 (BRI149765). Between Kaisenik and Wuri-Wuri, 1140 m, 18 Oct 1968, H. Streimann NGF39129 (BRI149995). Tiaure Village 5 M S of Garaina, 480 m, 22 Jul 1970, H. Streimann NGF45048 (BRI365353). Lae, FRI Botanical Gardens, 10 m, 5 Jul 1993, W. Takeuchi 9005 (US3633126). Kikiepa Village near Wantoat, 1500 m, 5 Jun 1960, J.S. Womersley NGF12728 (BRI149760). New Ireland Province: Namatanai sub-province; Hans Meyer Range, 625 m, 9 Oct 1975, M.J. Sands 2169 (US3685033). North Solomons Province: Pavairi, 810 m, 20 Jan 1967, C.E. Ridsdale NGF31021 (BRI149971). North Solomons Province: Kupei Gold Field., 1000 m, 24 Apr 1930, S.F. Kajewski 1777 (P1219318). Bougainville Island, Kugumaru, Buin, 150 m, 18 Jul 1930, S.F. Kajewski 1952 (P1219317; UC542111). Territory of New Guinea, Near Korpei village, 11 miles southwest of Keita, 670 m, 2 Nov 1961, D.H. Nicolson 1533 (US2416100). Near Korpei village, 11 miles southwest of Keita, 670 m, 2 Nov 1961, D.H. Nicolson 1544 (P1243720). Vicinity of Aku village, c. 9 miles west of Buin Station, 30 m, 23 Sep 1964, R. Schodde 4116 (US2577448 A). Oro Province: Kokoda, 360 m, 29 Jul 1964, A.N. Millar NGF 23563 (BRI149759). Province indet: Loganeng, [n.d.], M.G. Balmer 54 (P1238011; P1238023; UC391741). Nouvelle-Guinee allemande, Loganeng, auf Baumen, [n.d.], M.G. Bamler 54 (US3030998; US3031008). Bella Vista, Dieni [illeg.], 1933, L.J. Brass 3792 (BONN-Nessel 642c). SOLOMON ISLANDS. Kolambangara: New Georgia Group, Kolombangara Island. West coast, inland from Iri iri Village (Merusu Cove), 610 m, 28 Sep 1963, T.C. Whitmore BSIP 2148 (US2577636 A). South Kolambangara, 4000 ft, 2 August 1965, A.F. Braithwaite 411 (P1219316). Sancristobal: E. Sancristobal. Confluence of Warahite and Pagato Rivers, 150 ft, 25 Jul 1965, A.F. Braithwaite 4175 (P1219319). Santa Cruz Islands: Vanikoro Island, 100 m, 13 Nov 1928, S.F. Kajewski 621 (UC422664; US1758589). Ngarabu camp to end road then follow ridge, Vanikoro island, Santa Cruz province, 120-600 m, 17 Jun 2016, C.-W. Chen SITW10583 (CNS). Santa Ysabel: Dedeu R. S.W. Santa Ysabel, 43 m, 21 Apr 1966, Beer’s collectors BSIP 6686 (US2691129). Santa Ysabel: nr. Maringe Lagoon, Mt. Sasari, 853 m, 26 Oct 1963, T.C. Whitmore BSIP 2429 (US2577645 A). Guadalcanal: Mt. Gallego, Guadalcanal Island, 400-1000 m, 30 Jun 2014, C.-W. Chen SITW5240 (CNS). Hut to Mt. Tepalamenggutu, 600-1500 m, 15 Oct 2012, T.-Y. Yang SITW1018 (CNS).

Distribution, habitat and ecology.

Widespread in Malesia and western Oceania where it occurs in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands as far east as the Santa Cruz Islands. A canopy and subcanopy epiphyte in lowland to montane tropical rainforest. This species often grows from decaying nests of other epiphytes, rotting logs and tree hollows but also will grow on bark on tree branches, especially where humus has accumulated.

Notes.

Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius is here circumscribed as plants occurring throughout Malesia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands that have uniformly flattened shoots comprised of decurrent imbricate leaves, excluding plants previously identified with P. nummulariifolius that occur in Vanuatu which have divergent leaves and are described below as a new species. Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius is a widespread and remarkably uniform species throughout its range that is readily identified by its unique leaf shape and arrangement and flattened shoots on very long slender stems.

Examination of G.H.Brownlie determinations on herbarium specimens indicates that reports of P. nummulariifolius in Fiji (Brownlie, 1977) are based on misidentifications of P. delbrueckii (Herter) A.R.Field & Bostock [e.g. Brownlie 1835 (AAU! & CHR341130] and juvenile specimens of the Fijian population of P. phlegmarioides (Gaudich.) A.R.Field & Bostock s.l. [= P. pseudophlegmaria (Kuhn) A.R. Field & Testo s.s.], both of which also have rounded leaf apices. I have not encountered any material of P. nummulariifolius s.s. south or east of the Sant Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands.

The determination ' Lycopodium kempterianum Schlecht. n. sp. Schlechter’ appears on the gathering 'Neuguinea: Kaiser-Wihlems-Land, 2 Aug 1907, R. Schlechter 16352 (BONN-Nessel 646a!, P01238020!, US2990287!), and a citation in Nessel (1939 p. 254). Schlechter’s specimen is typical of P. nummulariifolius and it is presumed that he did not proceed with publication of a new taxon.

New combinations in Phlegmariurus

Recent combinations and descriptions of Phlegmariurus bring the number of combinations in the genus globally to 288 ( Hsieh et al. 2012; Øllgaard 2012a, b; Field and Bostock 2013; Øllgaard 2015; Øllgaard 2016; Arana 2016; Field et al. 2016; Duy et al. 2016; Testo 2017; Kiew and Kamin 2018; Bauret et al. 2018; Øllgaard 2016). Although the Phlegmariurus species diversity of the Neotropics have been comprehensively reviewed by Øllgaard (1992, 2012a, b, 2015, 2016), the species occurring in the Palaeotropics have not been as intensively reviewed. Many Palaeotropical taxa are poorly defined, being either mixed assemblages of convergent species (e.g. species in the polyphyletic P. phlegmaria group, Field et al. 2016) or multiple taxa described for extremes of an apparently continuously variable species (e.g. species in the P. macgregorii group). The two following combinations are for more clearly definable species.

Figures

Figure 2. Phlegmariurus nummulariifolius ARF 0002: A basal region of shoot showing branching pattern and leaf arrangement B medial region of shoot showing adpressed leaf arrangement in facial and lateral view C distal region of shoot showing abrupt transition to sporophylls and filiform fertile spikes. Phlegmariurus vanuatuensis ARF 1140 D basal region of shoot showing branching pattern and leaf arrangement E medial region of shoot showing divergent leaf arrangement in facial and lateral view F distal region of shoot showing gradual transition to sporophylls and funiform-filiform fertile spikes. Photos by A. R. Field